The first price you see on the Solidoodle.com is $499, but this refers to the base model. After rooting around a bit, I think it's best to upgrade to the $599 Pro model with the heated build platform that allows you to build large prints up to 6" x 6" x 6" without bottom warping. From what I read on the site, one can achieve resolutions up to 0.1mm in the X, Y, and Z planes, which seems pretty darned good to me. (Click here to check out the gallery of "stuff" that folks have made using the Solidoodle.)

So my next question is with regard to the software used to capture the 3D object in the first place. According to the Solidoodle.com website, their printing software accepts 3D files in STL format, which is a universal file format. As they say: "As long as your 3D design software can Save/Export as an STL file, you should be good to go."

Now, I'm a Black Belt 10th Dan (Grandmaster) with regard to the Visio 2D graphics package, but I've never had occasion to use 3D design software. There's also the fact that this is a hobby project, so I donít want to be spending thousands of dollars on a high-end 3D package. Also, I donít want to have to wrestle with a package that's so excruciatingly clever it comes with a multi-month learning curve.

Do you have any experience in this area? If so, is there a cheap (preferably free) 3D design software package that can Save/Export as an STL file that you would recommend? Something that I can learn to use relatively quickly without my brains leaking out of my ears, but that has the capability to create reasonably sophisticated 3D representations?

@Davy.Baker: I dabble with them all at work, but at home I prefer Sketchup with the third party .stl exporter added in.

Thanks for the great advice -- I must admit that I'm leaning toward SketchUp based on other things I've heard -- is there a website for the .STL exporter or do you get that from the SketchUp site also?

@Aeroengineer: At that point you might then start looking for a secondary package to back up the first one.

Oh joy! :-) All I want is a simple life ... initially I need a package that will allow me to capture things like gears (not just round ones -- ones with unusual shapes) ... maybe later I will move to a package that supports more "organic" shapes.

The trick is to find something cheap (free) that is easy to learn, reasonably sophisticated, and can drive my 3D printer (I still smile when I say/type "my 3D printer")

I dabble with them all at work, but at home I prefer Sketchup with the third party .stl exporter added in. Sketchup can NOT import .stl files though (or at least well ?) - for that I use NetFabb to slice, and/or rotate and/or scale donated .stl designs. This is more art than engineering though using Sketchup and NetFabb (compared with Solidworks (3D), Autocad (2D) and Inventor(3D)). Makerware (from Makerbot) is a great way to import multiple .stl's, and independently scale, rotate or move each, then export back out as a single .stl (or two different files if doing dualstrusion). This free package also exports to their proprietary editable format (.thing) and machine code .x3g (gcode choice no longer works), but don't let that stop you from trying it out ! (since it also saves out graphicly tweaked .stl's as another .stl) Best, Davy

One of the things that a lot of people do not know is that most mid level and above MCAD packages offer scripting. I know that both SolidWorks and CATIA offer VB scripting. I also know that both can be made extensible with custom programed interfaces that use their API's.

The reason most people do not do this is that for most shapes, it is much easier to use hot keys and a mouse. The other reason is that most mechanical parts will change in their lifetime. The GUI allows for fast modification of these parts.

This becomes readily apparent when you start to work with complex curvature. Most of these shapes are defined by higher order math, and it would be a nightmare to try and program that into a script. Even the programs do not always get it correct. I was helping a friend last night attempt to fix the leading edge of a wing model done in a MCAD program. Despite the inputs being correct, that particular MCAD package could not handle that shape.

Hence many companies will have two or three cad packages to be able to take care of issues like this. Each place that I have worked at has run no less than three MCAD packages. This is excluding modelers that are used for finite element programs.

As has been said below, each MCAD package will have its strengths and weaknesses. It is best to try a few and see which feels right. It will take a while to learn its limitations. At that point you might then start looking for a secondary package to back up the first one.

FreeCAD (From Germany) is also not too bad -- I have a friend from college that has done some really impressive stuff with Blender. The AutoCAD 123D online will allow one to have parts made, and shipped to you (Both Metal via CNC, and 3D Printer - Resin)